East Antrim MLA backs animal cruelty register

Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan has welcomed the call for a central register of those convicted of animal welfare offences or disqualified from keeping animals.

Speaking in the Assembly on June 21, he said: “I support the establishing of a central register of those convicted of animal welfare offences or disqualified from keeping animals. For this register to be most effective it is important that the information obtained is shared with those who legally sell animals. In the last mandate Michelle O’Neill asked the Justice Minister to look at concerns surrounding the sharing of information. This is now a matter for the current Justice Minister. I support the highlighting of animal cruelty, especially to farm animals, and back the establishing of a central register for offenders. In terms of other offences of animal cruelty I would call for a clamp down on offenders and ask that the courts send out a strong message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.”